U.S. workers will get modest raises in 2012, report finds

In a survey of 773 U.S. companies, human resources consultancy Towers Watson found that raises will stay moderate until the economy finds solid footing. The report found that companies expect to give a similar percentage raise to executives and nonexempt employees in 2012.

Merit will play a key role in how much managers decide to dole out -- whether to reward good behavior or to prevent valuable employees from jumping to competitors.

Workers with the highest performance ratings will earn median salary increases of 4.5% -- 80% more than their colleagues with average ratings, the study found.

Earlier this month, Towers Watson said that “potentially violent and difficult-to-predict market moves are likely for a number of years.” Despite the sense of unease, companies said they will still fully fund annual bonuses for staff, according to a separate report from the consultancy.